Local Notes: Belmullet native recognised with Honorary MBE.
Erris.
Congratulations to UCL’s Professor Mary Reilly, daughter of Sheila Reilly and the late Muredach Reilly, Barrack Street and Carne Belmullet, a globally renowned and award-winning clinical neurologist, who has been awarded an honorary MBE for her services to medicine. Professor Reilly (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) was recognised by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as part of the honorary awards to Foreign Nationals 2024. The honours are approved by HM The King and are given to those who have made an outstanding contribution to the UK.
Professor Reilly is Professor of Neurology and head of the Division of Clinical Neurology in UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology. She is an outstanding clinical scientist in academic clinical neurology and is internationally recognised as a pioneer in inherited peripheral neuropathies.
There was another great weekend at the Eileen Maloney Memorial Darts with a massive 96 players turning out thanks to each and everyone. Congratulations to back to back winner Harry "The Wasp" Bancroft who beat Liam Donoghue 5-3 in a fantastic final. Well done to Kevin Rowland and Martin Keane the 2 semi-finalists and well done Paul Rowland on the highest checkout. Sean Maloney was highest bid for the Mayo jersey with €330. A total of €2514 was raised for "Help Mags Find Relief Fund".
Thank you was extended to Mixie McGuire and staff for a fantastic set up and thanks to Jason Healy for setting up the board’s top class as usual; to Shane McHale, Shauna and Marie for running everything so smoothly throughout the day; and to all the ladies who participated in the Eileen Maloney Ladies Darts. Congratulations to Jackie Maloney on winning. It was a fantastic final against Ann King with a score of 4-3 to Jackie and highest check out was Rachel McBride.
The Erris/Belmullet/Achill Fine Gael branch wishes Michael Ring a happy retirement and best wishes for the future. They thank Michael for all his hard work in securing funding for Erris and Achill projects while he was Minister of State and Dáil deputy. They also thank him for his many clinics in Erris and Achill over the past 30 years in which he helped many people. Best wishes to his wife Ann and family. Congratulations also on receiving the Mayo Person of the Year.
The branch officers are: chairman Philip Irwin (Glenamoy), vice chairman Seamus Cosgrove (Bangor Erris), secretary Michael J. Deane (Glenamoy) and assistant secretary John Munnelly, joint treasures Pat Barrett (Mount Jubilee) and Philip Irwin, PRO Michael J. Deane, branch president Eamon Munnelly and Cllr Gerry Coyle.
Belmullet Irish Wheelchair Association’s school leavers service is very lucky to have very kindly received the donation of not one, but two pool tables from Barney's Playgroup and Afterschool in Belmullet. One of the members had a goal at the start of the year to get a pool table in the centre, and was thinking about fundraising to get one but Tisha from Barney’s stepped in and very generously gave two pool tables for the group's hub.
The IWA also extend thanks to Dylan and John from St Brendan’s College Belmullet for coming over to help them sort the tables and show them how to play.
Ireland is now the most popular place for parkrun worldwide, with around 9% of the population now registered. Parkrun sees people of all ages and abilities gather on Saturday morning at locations all over the country and Cross Lake to run or walk a 5km route. There are currently 112 5k events in Ireland, and 42 junior events, making 154 in total.
The local park run recently had 40 people run, jog and walk the course, of which 2 were first timers. Welcome to Mark McDonnell and Ciaran McDonnell, hope you enjoyed your time at Erris Parkrun. There were recorded new personal bests for Yaell Masselis, Senan Ó Discín, Ellen McDonnell, Abigail Masselis, Kyle Padden, Theo Padden, Sharon Reilly and Frances Moran. Representatives of 2 different clubs took part. Congratulations to Leonard Shevlin on completing his 100th Parkrun milestone recently.
The club held a very successful dinner dance and awards night in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel recently. Guests on the night included the chairman of the county board Seamus Tuohy and GAA analyst Martin Carney. The club celebrated a very successful season winning the Mayo Junior football championship and returning to the Intermediate Division for 2025. The awards on the night included: Player of the Year U15 girls Caoimhe Nic Aindriú; U16 girls Rihannon Ó Malley; Junior ladies Shauna Ní Reachtaire.
U15 boys Eimhin MacAindriú; U16 boys Dalton Ó Murchú; U18 boys Kyle Mac Guidhir; Junior men Justin Ó hÉilí.
The John McAndrew Memorial Players Player of the Year went to Séan Ó Murchú; Club Person of the Year award went to the junior team management of Nigel Ó Reabhaigh, Séan Ó Maoldomhnaigh, Séan MacLochlainn, and Alan Ó Cabháíl. Appreciation award for years of service to the club was Philip Ó hÉireamháin, JP Ó Murchú, Ciarán Ó Moráin.
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary has announced that funding has been secured for roads in the Erris region under the 2025 Regional and Local Roads Allocation. “I am delighted to have secured a €1million investment in the R313 Glencastle and a further €55,000 for the Bundaile Sea Wall under Specific Improvement Grants. Additionally the Tipp Road will be allocated €155,000 for flood relief works under Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Works, while €18,000 has been allocated to the L52581 Derrynameel under Safety Improvement Works and €60,000 to the R313 Bangor Erris. I want to thank my colleague Cllr Sean Carey for his assistance in securing this funding,” he said.
Mayo Sports Partnership (Ray McNamara) will attend Erris for an information meeting to look at establishing a 'GAA for All' club for Erris. ‘GAA for All’ will only be established if there is sufficient interest/support, therefore it is imperative to attend. A meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 4, at 7pm at Broadhaven Bay Hotel (Inishkea Room).
The Monaghan and Gallagher families express their sincere and heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to everyone who supported the recent fundraising initiative for Cancer Care West/Inis Aoibhinn. Margaret, Eithne, Deirbhile and Sinéad presented a cheque for €10,810 to Cancer Care West at Inis Aoibhinn recently.
Ní raibh aon buaiteoir ar lotto ar an Feabhra 13. The numbers drawn were 2, 4, 7 with Jillian McNulty (online) winning €50 and Eva Kennedy (offline) winning €25. There was no winner of the €500 Match 3 prize. All proceeds from the lotto funds the development of hurling and camoige in Iorras. The pota óir has gone to €18,500 with a minimum jackpot of €15,000 for every draw and you can play online at bit.ly/GILotto.
Tá áthas ar an club go bhfuil Eoghan McGrath ag tosaí ar an Luan 24ú Feabhra ar clár forbartha agus iománaíocht agus camogie sna scoileanna áitiúla. The club development officer will be delivering skills coaching for hurling and camogie in the following schools (8) in Phase 1 (5 weeks) : SN Ceathrú Thaidhg, SN Ros Dumhach, SN Poll a tSomáis, SN Barr na Trá, SN Gleann a Chaisil, SN Dú Thuama, SN Gaoth Sáile agus SN Sraith. Schedules are being agreed with additional national schools for Phase 2 (April) and for Phase 3 (May). Má ta suim ag do scoil sa clár, dean teagmháil leis Cathaoirleach an Chlub (Ciarán O Hara). Tá an Club buíoch do Comhairle Chonnachta as ucht a dtacaíocht don obair seo.
Tá an club ag pleanáil foireann camogie f. 12 a chuir chun páirce i mbliana. The club hopes to launch the new underage camogie team in March 2025. The club is seeking volunteers to help with the creation of this new opportunity for girls in Erris and anybody that is willing to volunteer some time is asked to contact the chairman, Ciaran O’Hara.
